While the chants of “Zombie” reflect Jung’s rising popularity, it also carries broader implications in regards to the changing landscape of mixed martial arts for foreign and international fighters. The chants in support of the Korean Zombie provide commentary on the growing acceptance of foreign fighters in the mixed martial arts community, in particular America’s. It is not uncommon for foreign fighters to be greeted with chants of “USA” when paired against an American fighter. While there is nothing wrong with the vocalization of patriotism and being prideful, it does expose the bias held by fans against foreign fighters and often seems inappropriate in regards to the context of the fight occurring. While some fighters do carry the national pride of representing their country, what seems more sensible to be noted and appreciated is the courage of the fighters that step into the octagon, the brilliant techniques being showcased, and the merits of the fight and individual fighters.

The sport of mixed martial arts is very pluralistic sport that encompasses traditions and techniques from all across the globe. That is one of the beautiful assets of the sport. It has roots that are implanted all over the face of the planet and consequentially, has competitors and practitioners from a large and diverse field of avenues.

This American bias, however, acts as an obstacle that impedes the growth of foreign fighters hoping to enter the scene. The marketability of foreign fighters from lesser known regions proves to be more difficult and is impacting on the expansion of mixed martial arts within their individual countries. While countries such as Brazil have already established themselves as a hotbed for mixed martial arts through their large number of successful fighters, developing nations in the sport such as South Korea, China, and Afghanistan still struggle to cement their place in the mixed martial arts world. While open mindedness exists within the American audience, these struggles are inevitably exacerbated by the unwelcoming portion of the American audience that continue to chant “USA” against any non-American fighter.

That is why the chants of “Zombie” in his match with the American Poirier prove to be significant, granted, chants of “USA” still rained down against him but not in equivalent size. These chants for Jung were significant because they mark the growing acceptance and support of foreign fighters and display The Korean Zombie breaking the barriers of race. Instead of being cheered against for his nationality, the audience saw him as a fighter and vocalized their appreciation for his aggressive fighting spirit. This has heavy implications for other foreign fighters and demonstrates mixed martial art’s growing landscape and transformation into a more diverse and welcoming audience. Additionally, perhaps the chants given to Jung by the American audience will inspire and invite more international fighters to enter the scene.

You’re speaking as if America is one entity. It is not. It has a lot of people who come from many different places. Don’t pull the ignorant “oh damn Americans” card, because you come off as a pretensions asshole. Get off your high horse.

americans never claim to own or have started MMA. duno where your ignorant mind got that idea. its that they are less likely to blindly root for the american just because hes american. but that has nothign to do with all americans. the article should read “new casual fans are becoming more acceptant.”

any true american MAM fan that has been watchin for years doesnt just cheer for americans. only the newbies that started watching recently do that because they dont know better. it hasnothign to do with who started the sport or whatever.

Who said we invented martial arts? Chanting USA doesn’t mean shit but I’m proud of where I come from. Your just as bad as the people being pointed out in this article when you stereotype Americans in such a way.

And your the stereotypical foreigner hating on Americans for no reason. You think we are all the same and we are all full of ourselves like we “own and create everything” that’s bullshit. There are some great people that live everywhere in the world. An there are also jackasses that live everywhere. It doesn’t matter where u r from.

You pity us? No sir, you all follow us. No matter where we go or what we do. Why? Because no one else has the balls to be a leader like my country. Bad choices or not, we stick by our decision. Well be glad to save your asses from ze Germans in WWIII

“the growing acceptance of foreign fighters in the mixed martial arts community, in particular America’s”
I don’t see how this is typical Americans thinking we own and create everything. UFC is the largest mixed martial arts promotion and is based in America. So fighters outside of America might feel uncomfortable about fighting in a US based fighting promotion. That’s what the article is saying.

So while not a single component of mixed martial arts was created in America the current largest promotion is based in America so like it or not the US is going to be a big presence in MMA

As for the USA chants I agree they shouldn’t be brought into a fight but to say it’s not about nationalities is ridiculous, a lot of fighters walk out with their countries flags. It’s called national pride and Americans aren’t the only ones who have it, we’re just louder.

And personally I’m loving all the generalizations and hate towards america in the comments because of an article that one person wrote.

was gonna say… it’s a nice piece of writing, to be sure, but it is based on a very likely false assumption that the ‘zombie’ chants came from “welcoming” and “accepting” american fans, not the huge korean contingent, including pilgrims from as far as canada…

on a different note, i don’t think too many fighters are bothered by the ‘usa’ chanting – if anything, it’s extra motivation to show up the dumbasses in the audience. it also provides the extra satisfaction for the fans rooting for the foreign fighter whenever he takes the W… ‘all in the game’…

As an American I hated the “USA” chants during that fight. That was the dumbest shit. I mean I’m half Asian and half white, but chanting USA against a fighter who isn’t from America is fucking retarded. Like I was cheering for Jung because I love his style. There’s a bunch of instances where I cheer for the dude who isn’t American. I hate the USA chants. I wish every crowd was like the Japanese crowds. They make every other fans seem like barbarians.

Brazilians are THE WORST they take nationalism higher then we do (when it comes to MMA) but honestly Aldo Coke winner vs KZ in Seoul South Korea 2013 with Bendo on the co main feature (if he retains the belt or not)

Brazilians are THE WORST they take nationalism higher then we do (when it comes to MMA) but honestly Aldo Coke winner vs KZ in Seoul South Korea 2013 with Bendo on the co main feature (if he retains the belt or not)

wow some of these posts rly I’m a foreigner in USA and I have to say MMA is not American even though it has bin made very popular because of the UFC which is an American federation which was made popular by a foreign GUY Royce Gracie <— BrAzILiAn but non the less y does it matter if the fighter is American or not enjoy the fights for the art and skill displayed and leave all the other bullshit aside seriously

About BJPenn.com

Shouted out after victory to the UFC masses, BJPENN.COM is the home to multiple time champion BJ Penn. After a decade of on-line operation BJPENN.COM has evolved into the most reliable destination for all your fighter interviews, fighter blogs and MMA/UFC news stories.